2014-2015 Junior Guideline and Ranking System Changes

The Junior Guidelines have been restructured and can be viewed by clicking here. The updated structure to the guidelines is designed to help players, parents, and coaches more easily find needed information and fully understand the rules and regulations governing the junior competitive structure.

Several changes and additions to the guidelines have also been put in place for the coming season. The junior ranking point structure will be updated slightly with bronze level tournaments increasing in point values by ~17% beginning with tournaments on October 3, 2014. The U.S. Junior Open Championships, U.S. Junior Championships (Closed), and U.S. Junior Silver Championships will all decrease in value by 10% starting immediately. All junior ranking point tables can be viewed by clicking here.

Refereeing requirements in accredited tournaments have been updated to include a penalty to players who do not fulfill their refereeing responsibilities. Offending players, regardless of their performance in the tournament, will be given zero points for the player’s participation. More information about the new refereeing policy can be found by clicking here and reviewing Tournament Procedure Policies.

A Mid-Tournament Default Policy has been created to discourage players from abandoning a tournament when matches have been scheduled to be played. For any withdrawal after the beginning of a tournament, the player must be present to referee the match after their default in order to retain points for the tournament. If a player abandons a tournament, or is unable to attend to referee after their final match, they will receive zero points for their participation in the tournament. More information about the new Mid-Tournament Default Policy can be found by clicking here and reviewing Tournament Procedure Policies.

The Age-Up Policy will be adjusted slightly to convert player’s points at a rate of 50% of the original value, up from the previous value of 40%. The new Age-Up Policy will go into effect starting January 1, 2015. More information about the Age-Up Policy can be found by clicking here and reviewing information about the Junior Ranking System.

The final change for the upcoming season impacts Player Start Times, Online Draw Release, and Late Withdraw Reseeding for JCTs and Junior National Championship tournaments only. First and Second Round match times (main draw only) will be released by 9:00pm eastern time on the Tuesday before the start of the tournament. Tournament Seeding will occur at 10:00am in the time zone of the host site on the day before the start of the tournament. Online draws will be available by 3:00pm in the time zone of the host site on the day before the start of the tournament. More information can be found by clicking here and reviewing information about Entry Management and Tournament Timelines.